Chapter Seven: That Gut Feeling

Day Two

Bryan was sitting at the large, metal dining table in the Weatherly Hotel lobby in the far most corner from the door. At breakfast, only staff and room renters were able to sit for the morning meal while lunch and dinner were for everyone. He popped some Sugar Bombs into his mouth, chewing slowly as he thought about everything that happened last night. He thought over everything that he had learned, and he slowly closed his eyes as he visualized everything that happened in his head. He visualized his father's grave, the Marigold tunnels littered with the corpses of slain fire ants, his hometown of Grayditch- silent and still without the burning of fires and cars. He wondered if anyone moved into the town after that day. He wondered if anyone was there right now, or if any of the old residents stayed... Like Lesko.

But then, another image began to piece itself together in his mind. It was an image of Janny wearing a pretty Pre-War dress like CJ's mom usually wore. It was a light blue color with a dark blue sash around her waist and dark blue buttons holding the straps to the dress- its palette of blue shades had complimented her bright blue eyes quite nicely. She walked towards him at a slow pace with a dainty kink in her step. Flashing a smile, she extended a hand out to him.

"Have you missed me, Bryan?" She asked in a hopeful voice.

"Good morning, Bryan." The real Janny's voice broke his thoughts.

Bryan snapped up in his chair, accidentally inhaling the half-chewed Sugar Bombs in his mouth and they got caught in his throat, making him hack and cough violently.

"Oh my!" She exclaimed while chuckling, picking up his drinking glass from the table to hand it to him. "I didn't know I was so terrifying!"

He wheezed as he snatched the glass from her, knocking back a few sips till he was able to breathe. He stared up at her, breathing heavily and blinked away the aggravated tears that began to blur his vision.

"M- Morning, Janny." He choked out in a hoarse voice, causing her to laugh again. "I di- didn't see you…" He coughed again to clear his throat, pounding the side of his fist against his chest to get some more air running into him.

"Years of practice, Bryan." She answered with a playful wink, holding her hips. She was wearing a plain white t-shirt, and jean shorts that reached her mid-thigh framed her broad hips. She wore worn, black high top sneakers and her hair was pulled back into a loose hair clip so thick strands of hair framed her face.

"Years of practicing what?" He asked, taking another sip of water. "Scaring the living crap out of people?"

She snorted, taking a seat next to him at the table as Mr. Buckingham hovered over to take her order. She simply asked for coffee and Fancy Lads Cake Snacks, and the robot butler quickly went away to get what she asked for.

"I had to learn how to be stealthy, you know." Janny answered, propping her elbows on the table and interlaced her fingers under her chin. "Sometime down the road, when you're out there, it's best to learn quickly that there are some battles that you simply cannot fight. You're going to have to learn when to run for it, and there's only one way to do that if you'd like to live or have minimal injuries- you have to escape undetected."

"Have you ever been injured out in the Wastes?" Bryan asked.

She nodded. "Of course I have! You're not going to go out there and come back without a few battle scars to show for it."

"Can-… Can I see one?" He asked hesitantly, chewing on his lip.

Janny gave no reluctance or even a hint of a second thought as she tugged down the collar of her shirt willingly, exposing a small slice of an upraised scar underneath her collar bone. It was no thicker in width than that of a pinkie fingernail, its length ran about two inches and it was the color of red wine- almost dark purple-red in hue. It looked like it must have been quite painful at one time.

"The first wound I ever got when I left the Vault." She gazed down at it as well, running a finger down the length of the scar. It looked soft under her touch, melting to the shape of her fingertip. "I went to an Old World town close to Megaton called Springvale, looking for a woman named Silver. While I was out there, I came across two raiders, and they saw me before I could get away." She released the neckline of her shirt so it fell back into place, covering up the scar. "I managed to kill one of them easily enough, but I used up the rest of the rounds I had in my pistol doing so. I used my tire iron to take down the second one, but when I turned around, he wasn't there. Or I thought he wasn't… He shoved me into the dirt from behind and pounced on me with a combat knife to my throat. When I struggled against him, he cut me- deep. The doctor who took care of me was shocked that it didn't come across anything vital."

She brushed her fingers through her hair, stopping her story as Mr. Buckingham returned with her coffee and box of Fancy Lads. She thanked him and ripped open the box, popping one of the small cakes into her mouth and washed it down with a sip of bitter coffee before continuing.

"I managed to distract him long enough to disarm him- I took his knife and stabbed him in the eye. He rolled off me, and I ran for my life." She laughed quietly, shaking her head. "I was so terrified that I ran all the way back to Megaton, and not until a day or so later did I realize that I left my only gun back where I found the raiders! I was too afraid to go back out and look for it… Instead, I did an odd job or two around the town and saved up enough to buy a rifle. I went back to Springvale about a month or so later, after doing more jobs and upgrading my aresenal, of course, and wiped out their hideout in the school."

"Wow," Bryan murmured with wide eyes. "That sounds amazing! Well, except for the part where you got jumped and hurt…"

Janny smiled a little, taking another sip of coffee. "Well, it is quite a lovely morning to talk about manly things like guns and fighting and old battle scars, isn't it?"

"I wouldn't know," He shrugged. "I haven't gotten into a fight in my life."

"Really?" Her eyes widened in shock.

He nodded. "Well, actually- there was this one time Trinnie came into the Weatherly really drunk and elbowed me in the gut when I tried to take her back to Belle. Does that count?"

"Ah, Janny! It's great to see you!" Bannon called as he strolled into the hotel lobby with a big smile on his face. He stopped behind Janny's seat, and she seemed a little startled that he came across her.

"O- Oh! Good morning, Bannon..." She gave him a quizzical with her lips coming together in a tight line, as if not at all pleased by his presence. A hint of question hung in her eyes, like a gleaming gem. "Likewise, it's great to see you as well. Have you been getting along nicely during my absence?"

"Yes, of course, Potomac Attire has been booming! Business has never been better, I say!" He sat down next to her. "But enough about me, you haven't been here for years! What have you been up to?"

"Oh, nothing special, I assure you."

"Come now! You are by far the most interesting person in Rivet City! You must have done something while you were away!"

"Well- maybe a bounty here and there, some hunting down at the Anchorage Memorial, and doing whatever's in my power not to get into trouble!" She chuckled- Bannon did as well.

"So what are you doing back in Rivet City with such a tightly packed schedule, hmn?" He asked with a raised eyebrow. "And after so long, too?"

Mr. Buckingham hovered over after a while, asking if Bannon would like something to eat. He asked for scotch and a Brahmin steak, but when the robot butler stated that the Weatherly Hotel did not have Brahmin steak on the menu until lunch or any alcoholic beverages until "Happy Hour" after dinner, he grumbled and instead asked for coffee and an apple. Bryan watched, feeling a little excluded but tried not to think anything of it. Instead, he finished eating his Sugar Bombs from the almost empty box, careful not to choke on them again as he watched the two get along in their conversation.

"As I was saying, what brings you back to Rivet City after so long?" Bannon asked as Mr. Buckingham glided away.

"I needed a break, is all- a vacation, if you will." Janny answered as she sipped on her coffee and continued eating her Fancy Lads. "I thought it would be nice to catch up with some people who I haven't seen in a while." She shot Bryan a glance, and gave a brief smile.

"Well then, it's a good thing I caught you when I did! I should make some time in my own busy schedule so we can sit down and have a nice chat... I would like to apologize for my- behavior, from the last time you visited and I would like to make it up to you, if I could."

Bryan's ears perked up at this, sending a beady glance to the clothing proprietor. What was he apologizing for? He said his behavior the last time Janny was on the boat... Bryan wouldn't put past the older gentleman that he gave some unwanted behavior, he saw the tension between him and Seagrave when the repairman was still alive. Bannon had claws but not much balls, that was for sure.

When Janny didn't seem to respond to his peace offer, he cleared his throat and continued on. "How long will you be in town?"

"Not too long, about two weeks." She answered, the tight lines of her lips faltering from her face to be replaced with something a bit darker upon the last sentence. "I'm staying in Seagrave's old room."

"Oh, it's quite a shame that he died." Bannon shook his head sympathetically. "Shameful, shameful, shameful! He was a brilliant man. We've been in need of a new repairman since he died, but we haven't found anyone with the amount of skill this old ship needs."

"If it does not pose as a problem, I'll be more than happy to take a look at anything that needs repairing. I'm not the best out there, but I've been told that I've done great work." Janny offered kindly. Bryan knew it was probably more out of respect for Seagrave and the love for the people in Rivet City more than for Bannon, and if that was the case he couldn't help but agree with her motives.

"No, oh no! I'd hate to impose while you're here on vacation! I wouldn't like to take away from your relaxation time!" He exclaimed, shaking his head in disagreement.

"Nonsense, Bannon! Please, allow me to at least take a look at anything that needs fixing."

Bannon eyed her warily, as if he wasn't at all quite sure about giving her the permission she requested.

"I insist." She added on.

"Oh, fine!" He exclaimed with a defeated sigh. "Let me speak with the council about it first, and I promise to get back to you on it."

"I will certainly hold you to it." She answered with a nod as he got up from his seat with a soft shriek of the chair's legs against the floor.

"Now, if you excuse me, it will be time to open shop in a few minutes." He looked to the dingy watch on his wrist, which Bryan caught with interest as he didn't think that it actually worked and kept time, and he turned to walk away. "We need to make time to chat!" He exclaimed over his shoulder as he walked out of the lobby. Mr. Buckingham stopped him right before he could quickly exit, holding his tray of requested food where the clothing proprietor declined it with a shake of his head, a wave of his hand, and strode out.

"Certainly!" She called after him. Bryan could see that although her mouth said "yes," her eyes screamed "certainly not!"

Janny turned back to her coffee, which at this point had probably turned cold, as Harkness brushed past Bannon on his way into the hotel lobby.

"Morning Janny," The commander nodded to her, then to Bryan formerly. "Wilks."

"Good morning, Commander Harkness." He greeted politely. "Today's a fine day, isn't it?"

"Easy, kid, this isn't roll call. Just breakfast." He smirked, obviously a little impressed with his manners before looking to Janny and leaned over so he was closer to her. "Was Bannon just speaking with you?" He whispered, and it caused Bryan to strain his ears slightly so he could attempt to hear them.

"Indeed he was. He ordered breakfast here instead of down at Gary's Galley like always- is something wrong with the restaurant?"

"No," Harkness shook his head. "It opened at the usual time- Gary and Angela were both present. Why?"

"Bannon's lived here for years. He should know that the prices at Gary's Galley are cheaper than the hotel's. He should also know that Vera doesn't have alcohol on the menu until after dinner at Happy Hour, and she's a very firm believer in eating food at the meals they should be eaten at…" She murmured, arms folding over her chest as she chewed her lip in thought.

"Wha- what?" He blinked in confusion with his brow furrowing. "What does that have anything to do with Bannon?"

"Bannon is a man that doesn't change. When I was here ten years ago, every morning for breakfast he ordered scotch and a Brahmin steak." Her eyes darted forward so she was staring straight at the wall across the table. The skin between her eyes was crinkled with deep thought, causing her big blue eyes to narrow significantly.

"So? The guy's a meat eater and a morning drinker, if it were a crime than you'd have to lock me up too." Harkness commented. "If you've got a point Jan, which I'm sure you do, make it and make it fast."

"What I'm trying to say is why would a man who lives a uniform lifestyle suddenly order coffee and an apple, otherwise passing up the breakfast he's had for ten years and even longer when it's obviously available downstairs, and at a cheaper price no less?" Her eyes darted back to him with question.

"Maybe the guy was sick of red meat and morning drinking." He murmured jokingly, but his face was quite serious.

"Then he could have ordered something else. Even more so, when Mr. Buckingham delivered his meal he declined it and simply walked out."

"That's kinda strange... As much as I don't like Bannon and would clearly like to wring his neck for something, ordering a meal then leaving it cold could be explained with reasoning. Maybe he just changed his mind?"

"I could be over-thinking things Harkness, but I think he's up to something." She tapped her fingernails on her upper arm from their crossed position over her chest. "We both made it quite clear the last time I was here that we did not like each other, as he did not like that I helped Seagrave and I do not like him because I believe he is quite egotistical. He knew the treatment he gave me the last time I was here- and he surely remembered because he mentioned it- but sat down anyways and started conversing with me as if we were long lost friends. Oh, right- mentioning of Seagrave- do you know what else Bannon said?"

"What?"

"He actually said it was shameful that Seagrave died, and then began to praise him as if the two had been old friends. He then apologized to me for how he poorly treated me the last time we encountered each other."

His eyes widened in shock. "Now I believe you. The guy doesn't apologize for anything- even if he knows that it was his fault to begin with. Then acting all friendly about Seagrave when everyone on this ship knew that they hated each other to the point they could kill?... But still. I dunno." He waved her off. "Maybe you're just overthinking things."

"The only reason why'd he have to come down here is to talk to me- it seems that he came for nothing else. I have a gut feeling about him, Harkness…" Janny responded in a hushed whisper- an almost fearful whisper as she looked up to the commander with weary eyes. "Like this heavy weight is rolling around in my stomach- and it's not from the food, I assure you."

"I don't like the sound of that," Harkness replied, a little worriedly. "The last time you had a gut feeling-?..." His voice trailed off.

"Bannon tried to get Seagrave kicked off the ship." Janny nodded in confirmation, looking up at him. "So you do remember that?"

"Of course I do. You said Seagrave worked with the slav-" He stopped the words from leaving his lips, snapping his eyes to Bryan and noticed that he was listening.

Bryan tensed in his seat, quickly looking away as he dug into his cereal box to try and find more Sugar Bombs to seem inconspicuous- but there was no more at the bottom. He had already eaten them all.

"Just- Just trynna find the prize at the bottom…" He muttered when they were both staring at him.

"We can talk later, Harkness." Janny suggested, looking back at him as he straightened up. "I'll come by security headquarters when you're off duty later."

"I get off at nine," He replied as he walked towards the door.

"See you then." She answered as she finished off the rest of her coffee, finding her box of cake snacks to be empty, and she glanced up to Bryan with an apologetic smile. "Sorry about that. Our morning keeps getting interrupted, doesn't it?"

"I- It's fine…" Bryan replied, still digging in his cereal box. "You and Harkness seem close."

"Well, the commander and I aren't attached at the hip, but I'd like to say we have a close friendship, yes." Janny agreed, motioning for Mr. Buckingham to clear her mess and refill her coffee mug.

"Were you two- uhm…?" He looked up at her, hand still deep in his empty box and he swallowed hesitantly. "Ya know…"

"Sleeping together, Bryan?" She giggled at the embarrassed blush on his cheeks.

"Well, I meant more along the lines of dating-" He started.

"Bryan, out here, dating and having sex aren't much different from one another." She pointed out, smiling a little as his cheeks darkened upon the S word. "Every day is too short to not take risks and to not do something stupid. You never know when someone you care about is going to be stolen from you, so you try to make each moment count and last, and what better way to do that than through one of the most beautiful and natural acts two people can share?"

"Ye- Yeah…" He cleared his throat awkwardly, eyes finally meeting with hers. If you asked him if he believed he would be having a conversation like this with his savior, he would have given you quite a strange look that spoke for itself. "I guess you're right…"

Janny smiled. "I'm sorry- have I made you uncomfortable?"

"A little-" Bryan replied honestly. "Yeah, just a little." He smiled awkwardly, causing her to chuckle.

"I apologize. I didn't realize it might be a touchy subject, I just assumed that you- well, that you knew about the birds and the bees." She sipped from her mug.

"I do," He nodded. "My dad used to tell me that it was either one smooth bird or one very drunk bee."

Janny choked on her coffee, spitting it back up into her cup and wiped her glistening lips, coughing quietly as she looked up at him with a funny look in her face and watery eyes. He was horrified the moment he said it, and he couldn't quite understand why he didn't stop himself beforehand.

"You- Your father told you about those sort of things when you were eight?" She coughed again.

"Younger, actually… I didn't really know what it actually meant 'til I talked to James."

"James?" She laughed dubiously. "I'm worried to ask where James got this information from!"

He shrugged. "You said it was a natural thing, right? Maybe he already knew."

Janny stared at him thoughtfully, smiling slightly and nodded while she took another measured sip from her mug, finally calming down her coughing fit.

"Maybe you're right, Bryan… Maybe you're right."